1<!doctype html><html class="no-js mobile-title-align--center p-news has-mobile-menu-icon--left l-bricks mobile-menu-align--center "><head><meta charset="utf-8" /><meta content="IE=edge" http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" /><meta http-equiv="X-OPP-Site-Id" content="22202" /><meta http-equiv="X-OPP-Revision" content="761" /><meta http-equiv="X-OPP-Locke-Environment" content="production" /><meta http-equiv="X-OPP-Locke-Release" content="v0.0.141" /><title>Heather Mae Erickson</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://heathermaeerickson.com/news.html" /><meta content="website" property="og:type" /><meta property="og:url" content="https://heathermaeerickson.com/news.html" /><meta property="og:title" content="Heather Mae Erickson" /><meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" name="viewport" /><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/normalize/3.0.2/normalize.min.css" /><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="only all" href="//maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/font-awesome/4.3.0/css/font-awesome.min.css" /><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="not all and (min-device-width: 600px) and (min-device-height: 600px)" href="/release/locke/production/v0.0.141/css/small.css" /><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="only all and (min-device-width: 600px) and (min-device-height: 600px)" href="/release/locke/production/v0.0.141/css/large-bricks.css" /><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="not all and (min-device-width: 600px) and (min-device-height: 600px)" href="/r17763658060000000761/css/small-site.css" /><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="only all and (min-device-width: 600px) and (min-device-height: 600px)" href="/r17763658060000000761/css/large-site.css" /><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="only all and (min-device-width: 600px) and (min-device-height: 600px)" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto:300" /><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="only all and (min-device-width: 600px) and (min-device-height: 600px)" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Cambo:400" /><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="not all and (min-device-width: 600px) and (min-device-height: 600px)" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Cambo:400&text=MENUHomePrtflid%20s%3ACunyvaVASFcbkIghpLWD" /><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="not all and (min-device-width: 600px) and (min-device-height: 600px)" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto:300&text=Heathr%20MEickson" />
1<script>window.OPP = window.OPP || {}; 2OPP.modernMQ = 'only all'; 3OPP.smallMQ = 'not all and (min-device-width: 600px) and (min-device-height: 600px)'; 4OPP.largeMQ = 'only all and (min-device-width: 600px) and (min-device-height: 600px)'; 5OPP.downURI = '/x/2/0/2/22202/.down'; 6OPP.gracePeriodURI = '/x/2/0/2/22202/.grace_period'; 7OPP.imgL = function (img) { 8 !window.lazySizes && img.onerror(); 9}; 10OPP.imgE = function (img) { 11 img.onerror = img.onload = null; 12 img.src = img.getAttribute('data-src'); 13 //img.srcset = img.getAttribute('data-srcset'); 14};</script>
14<script src="/release/locke/production/v0.0.141/js/modernizr.js"></script>
14<script src="/release/locke/production/v0.0.141/js/masonry.js"></script>
14<script src="/release/locke/production/v0.0.141/js/respimage.js"></script>
14<script src="/release/locke/production/v0.0.141/js/ls.aspectratio.js"></script>
14<script src="/release/locke/production/v0.0.141/js/lazysizes.js"></script>
14<script src="/release/locke/production/v0.0.141/js/large.js"></script>
14<script>if (!Modernizr.mq('only all')) { document.write('<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="/release/locke/production/v0.0.141/css/minimal.css">') }</script>
14<script>
vendor: 327 bytes, lines 14-18
14(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ 15(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), 16m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) 17})(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); 18ga('create', '
18UA-16785572-1
vendor: 35 bytes, lines 18-19
18', 'auto'); 19ga('send', 'pageview');
19</script>
19</head><body><header id="header"><a class=" site-title" href="/home.html"><span class=" site-title-text u-break-word">Heather Mae Erickson</span><div class=" site-title-media"></div></a><a id="mobile-menu-icon" class="mobile-menu-icon hidden--no-js hidden--large"><svg viewBox="0 0 21 17" width="21" height="17" fill="currentColor"><rect x="0" y="0" width="21" height="3" rx="0"></rect><rect x="0" y="7" width="21" height="3" rx="0"></rect><rect x="0" y="14" width="21" height="3" rx="0"></rect></svg></a></header><nav class=" hidden--large"><ul class=" site-nav"><li class="nav-item nav-home "><a class="nav-link " href="/home.html">Home</a></li><li class="nav-item expanded nav-museum "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/171049.html">Portfolio</a><ul><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/artwork/5485889-Dinnerware%20Set%20.html">New Work 2026-</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/507005-Pride%20Pots%2c%202021-2025.html">Pride Pots </a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/artwork/5487785-Confabulations%20.html">Confabulations, 2021</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/458145-Perfect%20Imperfection%20Collection%3a%20Bird%20Series%2c%202017-2020.html">Perfect Imperfection Collection: Bird Series</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/436630-Perfect%20Imperfection%20Collection%2c%202015-2016.html">Perfect Imperfection Collection</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/406813-American%20Values%2c%202014-2015.html">American Values, 2014-2015</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/381559-Pick%20Mix%20%2f%20All%20Sorts%20Collection%2c%202013-2014.html">Pick Mix / All Sorts Collection, 2013-2014</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/249563-Rituals%20of%20the%20Maker%202011-2012.html">Rituals of the Maker 2011-2012</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/171069-Inverse%2c%20Revolve%2c%20Rotate%3a%202009-2010.html">Inverse, Revolve, Rotate: 2009-2010</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/171059-The%20Industrial%20Hand%20Collection%3a%202007-2009.html">The Industrial Hand Collection: 2007-2009</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/171131-Whiteware%202005-2007.html">Whiteware 2005-2007</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/334960-Finnspired%2c%202004-2005.html">Finnspired, 2004-2005</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/334961-Elegance%2c%202004.html">Elegance, 2004</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/334959-Black%20%26%20White%2c%202003.html">Black & White, 2003</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/334957-Pastelware%2c%202002-03.html">Pastelware, 2002-03</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/334962-Posters%2c%20Magazines%2c%20Books.html">Posters, Magazines, Books</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/335339-Around%20School%20and%20the%20Studio.html">Around School and the Studio</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/418099-Headshots.html">Headshots</a></li></ul></li><li class="nav-item nav-pdf2 "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="//img-cache.oppcdn.com/fixed/22202/assets/71SKDfF0bsNZCISL.pdf">Pride Pots: Community Conversations </a></li><li class="nav-item nav-pdf1 "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="//img-cache.oppcdn.com/fixed/22202/assets/AiA9iZBprkLJNZr6.pdf">CV</a></li><li class="nav-news nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/news.html">Artist Statement</a></li><li class="nav-outside1 nav-item "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Mae-Erickson-Ceramic-Design/448553840155?ref=mf">Facebook</a></li><li class="nav-outside3 nav-item "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="http://instagram.com/hmaemaeceramics">Instagram</a></li><li class="nav-outside4 nav-item "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="http://www.pinterest.com/hmaemaee/">Pinterest</a></li><li class="nav-item nav-outside2 "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/heathermaerickson">Etsy Shop</a></li><li class="nav-item nav-contact "><a class="nav-link " href="/contact.html">Contact</a></li><li class="nav-links nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/links.html">Links</a></li><li class="nav-item nav-outside5 "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="http://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/fpa/artdesign/index.aspx">Western Carolina University</a></li><li class="nav-item nav-outside0 "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="https://www.facebook.com/wcuschoolofartanddesign/">WCU School of Art and Design</a></li></ul></nav><div class=" content"><nav class=" hidden--small" id="nav"><header><a class=" site-title" href="/home.html"><span class=" site-title-text u-break-word">Heather Mae Erickson</span><div class=" site-title-media"></div></a></header><ul class=" site-nav"><li class="nav-item nav-home "><a class="nav-link " href="/home.html">Home</a></li><li class="nav-item expanded nav-museum "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/171049.html">Portfolio</a><ul><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/artwork/5485889-Dinnerware%20Set%20.html">New Work 2026-</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/507005-Pride%20Pots%2c%202021-2025.html">Pride Pots </a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/artwork/5487785-Confabulations%20.html">Confabulations, 2021</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/458145-Perfect%20Imperfection%20Collection%3a%20Bird%20Series%2c%202017-2020.html">Perfect Imperfection Collection: Bird Series</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/436630-Perfect%20Imperfection%20Collection%2c%202015-2016.html">Perfect Imperfection Collection</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/406813-American%20Values%2c%202014-2015.html">American Values, 2014-2015</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/381559-Pick%20Mix%20%2f%20All%20Sorts%20Collection%2c%202013-2014.html">Pick Mix / All Sorts Collection, 2013-2014</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/249563-Rituals%20of%20the%20Maker%202011-2012.html">Rituals of the Maker 2011-2012</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/171069-Inverse%2c%20Revolve%2c%20Rotate%3a%202009-2010.html">
19Inverse, Revolve, Rotate: 2009-2010</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/171059-The%20Industrial%20Hand%20Collection%3a%202007-2009.html">The Industrial Hand Collection: 2007-2009</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/171131-Whiteware%202005-2007.html">Whiteware 2005-2007</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/334960-Finnspired%2c%202004-2005.html">Finnspired, 2004-2005</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/334961-Elegance%2c%202004.html">Elegance, 2004</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/334959-Black%20%26%20White%2c%202003.html">Black & White, 2003</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/334957-Pastelware%2c%202002-03.html">Pastelware, 2002-03</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/334962-Posters%2c%20Magazines%2c%20Books.html">Posters, Magazines, Books</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/335339-Around%20School%20and%20the%20Studio.html">Around School and the Studio</a></li><li class="nav-gallery nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/section/418099-Headshots.html">Headshots</a></li></ul></li><li class="nav-item nav-pdf2 "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="//img-cache.oppcdn.com/fixed/22202/assets/71SKDfF0bsNZCISL.pdf">Pride Pots: Community Conversations </a></li><li class="nav-item nav-pdf1 "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="//img-cache.oppcdn.com/fixed/22202/assets/AiA9iZBprkLJNZr6.pdf">CV</a></li><li class="nav-news nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/news.html">Artist Statement</a></li><li class="nav-outside1 nav-item "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Mae-Erickson-Ceramic-Design/448553840155?ref=mf">Facebook</a></li><li class="nav-outside3 nav-item "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="http://instagram.com/hmaemaeceramics">Instagram</a></li><li class="nav-outside4 nav-item "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="http://www.pinterest.com/hmaemaee/">Pinterest</a></li><li class="nav-item nav-outside2 "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/heathermaerickson">Etsy Shop</a></li><li class="nav-item nav-contact "><a class="nav-link " href="/contact.html">Contact</a></li><li class="nav-links nav-item "><a class="nav-link " href="/links.html">Links</a></li><li class="nav-item nav-outside5 "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="http://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/fpa/artdesign/index.aspx">Western Carolina University</a></li><li class="nav-item nav-outside0 "><a target="_blank" class="nav-link " href="https://www.facebook.com/wcuschoolofartanddesign/">WCU School of Art and Design</a></li></ul><footer><div class=" copyright">© HEATHER MAE ERICKSON</div><div class=" credit"><a href="http://otherpeoplespixels.com/ref/heathermaeerickson.com" target="_blank">Website by OtherPeoplesPixels</a></div></footer></nav><main id="main"><a class=" logo hidden--small" href="http://otherpeoplespixels.com/ref/heathermaeerickson.com" title="Website by OtherPeoplesPixels" target="_blank"></a><div class=" page t-wide-column"><ul><li class=" news-item"><h1 class=" news-item-title"></h1><div class=" news-item-content wordy"><p>My research and work are at the forefront of a trend where both industry and design play roles in studio art practice. I am an advocate of this approach and endeavor to continue researching this subject by exploring models throughout Europe, particularly in Scandinavia.</p><p>Through my work, I strive to inform my audience of who I am as an artist, educator and human being. I am interested in reaching beyond the confines of the art world and interacting with a variety of individuals from around the world. Our knowledge of the objects used in the dining ritual, and their assigned functions, which is born of historical usage and innate familiarity, is limiting and lacks creativity and vision. I explore the possibility of changing the way
19we treat the vital ritual of dining. By designing functional tableware, I seek to direct the eye, hand and mouth to treat food differently.</p><p>My work raises awareness of the situation and sparks contemplation before merely devouring the elements. I am focused on creating new ways of containing and using these functional objects. I question function through combining the common and understood methods of use, and proposing new formats. I take simple objects, functions or aspects, and combine opposing elements through multiplicity, size or orientation. A prime example that puts my vision into practice is utilizing the concept of the waitersâ serving tray and morphing it together with an enlarged spoon to create a truly unique appetizer platter.</p><p>I continuously pose questions to myself that enhance the guidelines and starting points. By broadening my scope, the possibilities for containing or displaying food become endless. It is easy to get stuck on the idea that a cup or bowl must take on a specific shape in order to serve its purpose. I do not really think in those limiting terms anymore. I focus my energies on thinking about a container, without preconceived ideas, and I know that my container can be any shape or size that I desire.</p><p>My pieces are influenced by the objects that surround me or that I surround myself with. I find inspiration in architecture, nature, shapes, and non-ceramic design. I see myself rediscovering function through the process of design. I sometimes make a particular vessel with a specific use in mind, and later find enjoyment when a user surprises me with their unexpected intended use. In this way, the user also has an effect on my work and development.</p><p>I do not feel the need to utilize unnecessary decoration on the surface of my work, but rather to embrace the clarity and simplicity of the forms. The decoration I do use emerges from necessary process. The essential step of waxing the bottoms of ceramic work, for example, becomes the decorative element.</p><p>It is interesting to find that others are surprised at how much my hand is used in the making of each piece. The aesthetic or hand of the artist and the clay itself are not always evident to outside viewers. In my need for clarity and refinement, decoration or process are always erased, sanded away, or removed. My work consists of carefully considered forms and highly refined surfaces.</p><p>One might ask why I do not just have my pieces mass-produced, however, I enjoy my present circumstances because they afford me the ability to use my personal aesthetic while hinting at the ideas of contradiction and the industrial hand. My creative approach combines industrial
19clarity with unique artistic execution that requires intense amounts of handling. Even though it may look simple, it is not easy. The clarity and finish on my pieces is intensive, time consuming and laborious. Each piece is generally handled and refined so much that it looks like I never touched it.</p><p>Essentially I desire to make my ideas known, popular, valued, and understood through the use and development of my objects and teaching. I welcome design as a source and not as an adversary. I find it crucial to know what is going on in the artistic community, so that I can stay fresh in my own work, and so that I am able to participate in scholarly discussions in the field. I yearn to be challenged, and I try to achieve this by challenging others. People interact with my work, and I interact with them through it.</p><p>I am interested in changing how ceramic design practices are seen in America and how American studio designers are viewed abroad. I have willingness to look beyond our borders and traditions for answers, ideas, and stimulation. By broadening the conversation artistically, socially, politically, and geographically, I will be a part of the movement to train the new generation of artists who are reacting to this post digital time. I am focused on forming a new curriculum with new ideas and models for the development of design, not only to attain my own artistic goals, but also to pass along these findings to my peers, mentors, and students in the United States and abroad. My future goals include developing a ceramic design collective where I will be the principle designer, continuing on my quest for a design-oriented ceramic aesthetic, and becoming a full-time professor at the university level so that I may continue to push the limitations in the fields of ceramics, design, art and craft. <br clear="none" /> <br clear="none" /> <br clear="none" />Heather Mae Erickson <br clear="none" />âThe Industrial Hand: Tableware Designâ</p></div><div class=" hr"></div></li></ul></div></main></div><footer><div class=" copyright">© HEATHER MAE ERICKSON</div><div class=" credit"><a href="http://otherpeoplespixels.com/ref/heathermaeerickson.com" target="_blank">Website by OtherPeoplesPixels</a></div></footer><div class=" offline"></div>
19<script src="/release/locke/production/v0.0.141/js/small.js"></script>
19<script>var a2a_config = a2a_config || {};a2a_config.prioritize = ['facebook','twitter','linkedin','googleplus','pinterest','instagram','tumblr','share'];a2a_config.onclick = 1;(function(){ var a = document.createElement('script'); a.type = 'text/javascript'; a.async = true; a.src = '//static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js'; document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);})();</script>
19<script src="https://otherpeoplespixels.com/static/enable-preview.js"></script>
19</body></html>
Line numbers count LF bytes from the start of the resource, as the search results do. Vendor segments are library code the classifier recognised; they are stored but not indexed. Bytes are shown as Latin1 characters, one per byte.